Myths v/s Reality

Myth 1: Diabetes is not that serious of a disease.

Fact: Diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.

Myth 2: You can catch diabetes from someone else.

Fact: No, although we don't know exactly why some people develop diabetes, we know diabetes is not contagious. It can't be caught like a cold or flu. There seems to be some genetic link in diabetes, particularly type2 diabetes. Lifestyle factors also play a part.

Myth 3: Eating Too much Sugar Causes Diabetes.

Fact: No, it does not. Type1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease; type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight does increase your risk for developing type2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories, whether from sugar or from fat, can contribute to weight gain. If you have a history of diabetes in your family, eating a healthy meal plan and regular exercise are recommended to manage your weight. Gestational Diabetes occurs during pregnancy in some women. Hormone changes during pregnancy prevent insulin from functioning properly. Women with gestational Diabetes usually need to take insulin. The condition may resolve after birth of the child.

Myth 4: There Are Too Many Rules in a Diabetes Diet.

Fact: If you have Diabetes, you will need to plan your meals. But the general principal is simple: Following a "Diabetic diet" means choosing food that will work along with your activities and any medications to keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible.

Myth 5: A person suffering from diabetes should never exercise.

Fact: NO, in fact people with diabetes are advised to do mild exercise without excessive exertion

Myth 6: Say no to fruits.

Fact: NO, diabetic patents can take fruits which are healthy. However, all fruits may not sound healthy, so patient should consult the doctor and dietician to know what all is suitable for a diabetic patient.

Myth 7: People with diabetes can't eat desserts, sweets or chocolate.

Fact: If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes. They are no more "off limits" to people with diabetes than they are to people without diabetes.

Myth 8: Protein is better than carbohydrates.

Fact: Because carbohydrates affect blood glucose levels so quickly, you may be tempted to eat less of them and substitute more protein. But too much protein may lead to problems for people with Diabetes.
The main problem is that many foods rich in protein, such as meat, may also be filled with saturates fat. Eating too much of these facts increases your risk of heart disease. In a Diabetes diet, protein should account for about 15% to 20% of the total calories you eat each day.

Myth 9: You can Adjust Your Medications to "Cover" Whatever you eat.

Fact: No, if you use insulin, you may learn how to adjust the amount and type you take to match the amount of food you eat. But this doesn't mean you can eat as much as you want, and then just use more medication to stabilize your glucose level.
If you use other types of Diabetes mediation, don't try to adjust your dose to match varying levels of carbohydrates in your meals unless instructed by your doctor. Most Diabetes medications work best when they are taken consistently as directed by your doctor.

Myth 10: If you have type 2 diabetes and your doctor says you need to start using insulin, it means you're failing to take care of your diabetes properly.

Fact: Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. When first diagnosed, many people with type 2 diabetes can keep their blood glucose at a healthy level with oral medications. But over time, the body gradually produces less and less of its own insulin and eventually oral medications may not be enough to keep blood glucose levels normal. Using insulin to get blood glucose levels to a healthy level is a good thing, not a bad one.